The Breaks

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August 1, 2022

Is Rap the Most Dangerous Profession?

By: Jack Anderson

Aside from folks like firefighters, etc., is being a rapper one of the most disproportionately dangerous lines of work? Confucius & Fresh compare the plights of Waka Flocka Flame and Nipsey Hussle to illustrate how the perils of disrespect.

The fellas respond to a Rolling Stone article on the rise of emo rap as the “fastest growing sub-genre” by discussing relatability, youth demographics, and long-term sustainability.

On Hip Hop Facts Fresh details how Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash ended up in Blondie’s “Rapture”, how LL Cool J not-so-sneakily got FUBU into a Gap ad, and when Full Force wrote for the Backstreet Boys. Confucius walks us through the passing of “Uncle Bob” (who saved Lil Wayne’s adolescent life after a suicide attempt), the simultaneous 1999 release of Destiny’s Child’s Writing on the Wall and Hot Boys’ Guerilla Warfare, and Jay Electronica’s production of Nas’ “Queens Get The Money”.

Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion riffs on Charleston White and how disrespect has become the “new normal” in hip-hop.

Confucius Reads the News sheds insight on JetBlue’s merger with Spirit Airlines, President Biden’s COVID-19 test results, the declaration of Monkey Pox as a public health emergency, the volley of projectiles hurled at Kid Cudi’s Rolling Loud Festival performance after replacing Kanye West, and Chris Rock’s insistence that he “shook off” the Will Smith Oscars slap.


Episodes

March 31, 2025

Is SXSW Over? (feat. B. Hobbs of SXSW)

On this week’s episode we interview B. Hobbs who is the Director of Programming for SXSW to discuss the changes for next year. We also have some brand new hip-hop facts and of course Unpopular Opinion with Fresh himself.

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March 10, 2025

Is Jermaine Dupri out of touch?

On this episode we discuss legendary producer/artist Jermaine Dupri’s comments on artists not wanting to be independent. We also discuss the recent Austin Music Awards and some criticisms levied at them from local artists.

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March 3, 2025

SXSBREAKS!

It’s that time of year where we discuss our annual official SXSW Showcase SXSBreaks and our amazing line up. We also discuss Rza from Wu Tang’s comments about the rise of southern hip-hop.

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February 24, 2025

Rap Beef Episode III: Revenge of the South (Re-Run)

This episode is a rerun from 10/7. On the finale of the fellas’ series on rap beefs, Confucius and Fresh head to the south for rows in Texas, Florida, and Louisiana from the late ’80s through the ’00s.

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February 17, 2025

Will Outkast make it into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame?

Fresh and Confucius discuss whether Outkast has a legitimate chance at making the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. The pair also breakdown Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show and their thoughts on it.

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February 10, 2025

Did Beyonce Get What She Deserved?

Was Beyonce winning the AOTY a little too late? We also pay homage to hip-hop producer/executive Irv Gotti who passed away last week.

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February 3, 2025

Is a Jay-Z feature still worth it?

On this episode Fresh and Confucius discuss the difference between podcasting and radio and if a Jay-Z feature is still worth it to artists.

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January 27, 2025

Frenemies?

What is the issue between old friends, and artists, Jim Jones and Cam’ron? Also we discuss rappers cozying up to Trump’s new presidency.

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